Whenever Will Muschamp lands a commitment, the South Carolina coach drops a #SpursUp on Twitter. Come to SEC Country for the latest news, notes and observations in South Carolina recruiting.

In the mix for a former 5-star

Former LSU defensive back Saivion Smith told SEC Country reporter Chris Kirschner that South Carolina is tied with Alabama in his recruitment.

“Well, because I only have two offers, both schools have a 50-50 shot at landing my commitment,” Smith said.

The former 5-star recruit transferred from LSU after his freshman season for “personal and family reasons.” Now enrolled at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, he’s looking for his next home, where he’ll have three seasons of eligibility remaining.

Smith sees an opportunity for playing time at Alabama, because at least two of its top three players at his position will be gone after this season.

“That helps Alabama a lot,” Smith said. “I want to go to a place that I can play immediately and has a great coaching staff. I definitely want to go to a place that I can compete for a national championship and have my talents showcased in front of NFL coaches and scouts.”

South Carolina depth chart

South Carolina also will have some attrition after the 2017 campaign, so coach Will Muschamp and defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson can use that as a selling point.

Cornerback JaMarcus King is one of three seniors in the Gamecocks defensive backfield, along with safeties D.J. Smith and Chris Lammons. Rashad Fenton, the other starting cornerback, will also be draft eligible after this season.

Two of the top three prospects committed to sign with South Carolina in 2018 are defensive backs. Of the three defensive back commits in the Gamecocks’ haul, Marlon Character Jr., is the only one who profiles primarily as a cornerback.

Three in mind

Three-star small forward Jimmy Nichols Jr. released his top three earlier this week. It included Miami, Providence and South Carolina.

The Conway (S.C.) High School senior will make a commitment in September after he takes official visits to all three schools, according to Phil Kornblut. Nichols also told Kornblut that Providence will get the first official visit, followed by South Carolina and Miami.

South Carolina hasn’t offered, but Nichols said Gamecocks coach Frank Martin indicated that Nichols would land an offer while on campus for his official visit.